STRIKER Gareth Taylor says Wrexham FC are measuring themselves against the best in this afternoon’s clash with table-topping Oxford United at the Racecourse.

Chris Wilder’s Us are unbeaten in nine games to date and the Dragons leading scorer believes the visitors’ obvious confidence will act as an incentive for himself and his team-mates.

“It’s easy to say it’s just another game but we are playing against a team who have had a really good start,” said Taylor yesterday.

“They spent a fair bit in the summer and brought a lot of players in and I think they have dropped only four points, which is good going.

“They are on a bit of a run, their confidence is high and that means it will be a bit of a test for us.

“I’d like to think it will be a good game because, as always, we’ll try and play our football, but no-one can predict how it will turn out.

“It could be a battle for 90 minutes or it could turn out to be an entertaining game.

“They have been winning left, right and centre, and at home and away, so they might come here in that sort of mood and leave some spaces for us.”

Admitting that Wrexham’s last outing – a 0-0 home draw with Barrow – had frustrated players and fans alike, four-goal Taylor added: “Barrow were obviously pleased with a point from the very start of the game and made it difficult for us.

“But one of Oxford’s two draws this season was at Forest Green where they might have been expected to win, so it’s never as easy as you think.

“But I’m pleased with my start and I have enjoyed banging in a few goals.

“I want that to continue and if the lads are sticking the ball into the box I always fancy myself to get on the end of them.”

Dragons manager Dean Saunders, a former Oxford player, expects to be at full strength, although Adrian Ciesliwicz will have a fitness test this morning.

The Polish teenager suffered a dead leg in a midweek reserve team outing and the Racecourse boss said: “It’s a bit of a worry.

“But I hope he will be fit because a lot of defenders in this league cannot cope with his pace.”

And looking ahead to the match, he added: “After two clean sheets in a win and a draw I feel I’m getting closer to the right combination and it’s a case of adding a winning formula in order to get us promoted.

“I expect us to play with real commitment, real desire, a determination to do all the horrible things needed to win matches and to compete for every ball.

“My players need to be brave, both on and off the ball, and they need to put their foot in.”

Confessing to a soft spot for one of his former clubs, Saunders added: “I played for Oxford in the top division and it’s a shame to see them where they are now. So if there was one team I would want to see promoted with us it would be Oxford.”

Saunders confirmed that Wales under-21 stars Chris Maxwell and Neil Taylor would start this afternoon, together with striker Marc Williams who was on the bench against Italy last Friday.

“Hopefully they will take the confidence of beating Italy into tomorrow, together with a free spirit so that they can enjoy the game,” he added.

“As long as you give yourself the chance to play well, that’s all you can do. No-one plays well every week but if that’s the case the least you can do is ensure that the man you are marking also has a stinker.”

Oxford centre-half Rhys Day is United's only injury absentee with a knee problem.

The visitors trained yesterday at Manchester United's Carrington facility where Oxford chairman Kelvin Thomas fended off suggestions that manager Chris Wilder might quit the Kassam Stadium after the United boss was linked with former club Rotherham.

Newspaper reports had linked the former Millers player with a return to the club following Mark Robins' switch to Barnsley, but Thomas said: “I don't think there is a club that he would be willing to leave Oxford for."